Australian Sevens representative Madison Ashby has been named co-captain of the Women’s squad while Queenslander Ethan McFarland has been added to the Men’s program for the 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS season.
Ashby will share the leadership duties with Isabella Nasser, who took over from Charlotte Caslick as captain of the squad last year.
Ashby had a taste of the captaincy prior to the Paris Olympics before suffering an ACL injury during her maiden weekend in charge of the side in Singapore.
Ashby made her Aussie Sevens debut in the United States as a teenager in 2019 and notched her 25th tournament in gold last year.
Australia Women’s co-captain Madison Ashby said: “It makes me extremely proud to be able to co-captain especially alongside Bella Nasser, who was amazing last season on her own.
“Putting on an Australian jersey is something you should cherish every moment with, let alone being able to captain a team so I am very honoured.
“It’s one of the best experiences you can ever have on the sporting field. I’m still learning and the players will help me but very excited to see what is ahead.”
Australia Sevens Women’s coach Tim Walsh said Ashby’s leadership following her return to the squad would complement Nasser throughout the season.
“Madi entered the world stage at a very early age and has developed year on year,” Walsh said.
“She has experienced the triumphs and disasters of professional sport.
“Throughout her career she has collected technical skills, experience and rugby wisdom beyond her years.
“Returning from a lengthy time on the sideline, Madi, with current co-captain Bella Nasser are poised to lead this team into the new era of Australian women’s rugby.”
Meanwhile, impressive centre McFarland has joined the Men’s squad ahead of the upcoming season.
The 23-year-old started playing rugby at GPS Ashgrove and attended The Gap State High School in Brisbane before paving out a career with University of Queensland.
He impressed throughout 2025 in the Hospital Cup and trialled well in recent weeks to be drafted into Liam Barry’s squad.
“Ethan impressed the coaching staff after recently trialling with the squad,” Sevens National Performance Manager Scott Bowen said.
“He brings a mix of speed and power and will complement the players around him throughout the upcoming season.”
The Aussie Sevens Women will start their 2026 campaign with pool matches against Japan, Canada and Great Britain in Dubai.
The side are reigning five-time champions in Dubai, having beaten New Zealand 28-24 in the final last season.
The Aussie Men will play Spain in the season opener before meeting New Zealand and Great Britain.
DUBAI FIXTURES - HSBC SVNS World Series 2025/2026
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Japan (6:42pm AEDT)
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Canada (10:05pm AEDT)
- Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (1:11am AEDT)
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Spain (7:48pm AEDT)
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v New Zealand (10:54pm AEDT)
- Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (2:50am AEDT)
HSBC SVNS World Series 2025/2026
- Dubai (29-30 November, 2025)
- Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025)
- Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026)
- Perth (7-8 February, 2026)
- Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026)
- USA (14-15 March, 2026)
HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025/2026
- Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026)
- Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026)
- Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026)
